Overflow

Overflow utilities control what happens when content is bigger than its box: overflow-auto scrolls when needed, overflow-hidden clips, overflow-visible lets content spill and overflow-scroll always shows scrollbars. overflow-x-* and overflow-y-* handle each axis separately, ideal for wide tables and side-scrolling rows.

1The four overflow values

overflow-auto, overflow-hidden, overflow-visible and overflow-scroll on boxes of fixed height.

overflow-auto

Our packaging is plastic-free and every delivery is carbon-neutral. We work directly with makers, so prices stay fair for everyone. Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days. Pay securely with card, wallet or in three interest-free instalments.

overflow-hidden

overflow-visible

overflow-scroll

<div class="row g-3 small">
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-auto</code>
    <div class="overflow-auto border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3" style="height:100px">
      Our packaging is plastic-free and every delivery is carbon-neutral. We work directly with makers, so prices stay fair for everyone. Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days. Pay securely with card, wallet or in three interest-free instalments.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-hidden</code>
    <div class="overflow-hidden border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3" style="height:100px">
      Our packaging is plastic-free and every delivery is carbon-neutral. We work directly with makers, so prices stay fair for everyone. Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days. Pay securely with card, wallet or in three interest-free instalments.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-visible</code>
    <div class="overflow-visible border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3 mb-12" style="height:100px">
      Our packaging is plastic-free and every delivery is carbon-neutral. We work directly with makers, so prices stay fair for everyone. Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days. Pay securely with card, wallet or in three interest-free instalments.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6 col-md-3">
    <code>overflow-scroll</code>
    <div class="overflow-scroll border rounded-lg p-2 bg-surface-3" style="height:100px">
      Our packaging is plastic-free and every delivery is carbon-neutral. We work directly with makers, so prices stay fair for everyone. Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days. Pay securely with card, wallet or in three interest-free instalments.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

2Horizontal scroll only

overflow-x-auto with flex-nowrap scrolls a row of cards sideways.

Secure checkout

30-day returns

Free shipping

Live order tracking

Loyalty rewards

<div class="flex flex-nowrap gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-2">
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Secure checkout
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      30-day returns
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Free shipping
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Live order tracking
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border rounded-lg p-4 shrink-0" style="width:160px">
    <div class="font-semibold small">
      Loyalty rewards
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

3Vertical scroll only

overflow-y-auto and a max-height make a scrolling list.

Omar Haddad
Kenji Whitaker
Mason Tanaka
Samir Silva
Owen Sato
Jonah Morgan

<ul class="list-unstyled border rounded-lg overflow-y-auto mb-0" style="max-height:150px">
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Omar Haddad</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Kenji Whitaker</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Mason Tanaka</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Samir Silva</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2 border-b">Owen Sato</li>
  <li class="px-4 py-2">Jonah Morgan</li>
</ul>

4Hidden to clip rounded corners

overflow-hidden on a rounded card clips the image corners.

without

overflow-hidden

<div class="row g-3">
  <div class="col-6">
    <div class="border rounded-xl">
      <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1441986300917-64674bd600d8?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1200&h=800&q=70" alt="Not clipped" class="w-full block">
      <div class="p-2 small">
        without
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-6">
    <div class="border rounded-xl overflow-hidden">
      <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1441984904996-e0b6ba687e04?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1200&h=800&q=70" alt="Clipped" class="w-full block">
      <div class="p-2 small">
        overflow-hidden
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

5Wide table

A wide table inside overflow-x-auto scrolls instead of breaking the page.

Order	Customer	City	Date	Status	Total
#ORD-1176	Freya Lindqvist	Edinburgh	Sep 28, 2025	Draft	$369.36
#ORD-7663	Chloe Harlow	Copenhagen	Nov 22, 2025	Cancelled	$899.45

<div class="overflow-x-auto border rounded-lg">
  <table class="table table-sm mb-0 whitespace-nowrap">
    <thead>
      <tr>
        <th scope="col">Order</th>
        <th scope="col">Customer</th>
        <th scope="col">City</th>
        <th scope="col">Date</th>
        <th scope="col">Status</th>
        <th scope="col">Total</th>
      </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
      <tr>
        <td>#ORD-1176</td>
        <td>Freya Lindqvist</td>
        <td>Edinburgh</td>
        <td>Sep 28, 2025</td>
        <td>Draft</td>
        <td>$369.36</td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td>#ORD-7663</td>
        <td>Chloe Harlow</td>
        <td>Copenhagen</td>
        <td>Nov 22, 2025</td>
        <td>Cancelled</td>
        <td>$899.45</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>

6Code block that scrolls

Long lines in a pre with overflow-x-auto stay on one line.

npm run build -- --mode production --out-dir dist/xenoara-pro --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir

<pre class="overflow-x-auto bg-surface-3 border rounded-lg p-4 small mb-0"><code>npm run build -- --mode production --out-dir dist/xenoara-pro --base ./ --sourcemap false --emptyOutDir</code></pre>

7Chat window

A fixed height message area with overflow-y-auto above a fixed input.

Order before 2 pm and most items leave our warehouse the same day.

Thousands of five-star reviews from customers who came back for more.

New pieces arrive every month, and the best ones sell out fast.

We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.

<div class="border rounded-xl flex flex-col" style="height:220px;max-width:22rem">
  <div class="overflow-y-auto p-4 flex flex-col gap-2 grow">
    <div class="self-start bg-surface-3 rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
      Order before 2 pm and most items leave our warehouse the same day.
    </div>
    <div class="self-end text-bg-primary rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
      Thousands of five-star reviews from customers who came back for more.
    </div>
    <div class="self-start bg-surface-3 rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
      New pieces arrive every month, and the best ones sell out fast.
    </div>
    <div class="self-end text-bg-primary rounded-lg px-2 py-1 small">
      We listen first, then build a plan around what you actually need.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="border-t p-2">
    <label class="sr-only" for="ut-msg-1253">Message</label>
    <input id="ut-msg-1253" type="text" class="form-control form-control-sm" placeholder="Type a message">
  </div>
</div>

8Scrollable tab strip

Pills in a flex-nowrap row with overflow-x-auto for many categories.

<nav class="flex flex-nowrap gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-1" aria-label="Categories">
  <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-primary rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">All</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">Accessories</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">tutorial</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">Accessories</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">how-to</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">goal</a> <a href="#" class="btn btn-sm btn-light border rounded-full whitespace-nowrap">bright</a> 
</nav>

9Terms box

A long text inside a bordered box with overflow-auto, like a licence agreement.

Terms of use

Thousands of shoppers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Each product is checked by hand before it goes into the box. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.

Gift wrapping and a handwritten note are free on every order. Every piece is made in small batches from materials we test ourselves. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.

We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Not sure about the size? Our fit guide and live chat help you choose. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.

<div class="border rounded-lg p-4 overflow-auto small bg-surface-3" style="height:130px">
  <h3 class="h6">Terms of use</h3>
  <p>Thousands of shoppers already trust us, and we work hard to keep it that way. Each product is checked by hand before it goes into the box. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email. Our team has done this many times, so you never have to guess.</p>
  <p>Gift wrapping and a handwritten note are free on every order. Every piece is made in small batches from materials we test ourselves. Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.</p>
  <p class="mb-0">We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you. Not sure about the size? Our fit guide and live chat help you choose. Every detail is handled by people who care about getting it right. Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.</p>
</div>

10Visible overflow for a badge

overflow-visible lets a badge stick out of a box that would otherwise clip it.

overflow-hidden1

overflow-visible8

<div class="flex gap-6 pt-2">
  <div class="relative overflow-hidden border rounded-lg p-4 small">
    overflow-hidden<span class="absolute top-0 start-full -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 badge rounded-full text-bg-danger">1</span>
  </div>
  <div class="relative overflow-visible border rounded-lg p-4 small">
    overflow-visible<span class="absolute top-0 start-full -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 badge rounded-full text-bg-danger">8</span>
  </div>
</div>

11Hidden overflow for a cropped title

overflow-hidden with a fixed height clips long text to two lines worth of space.

Good things, made to be used - We work directly with makers, so prices stay fair for everyone.

Aug 13, 2026

<div class="border rounded-lg p-4" style="max-width:20rem">
  <div class="overflow-hidden font-semibold leading-tight" style="height:2.5em">
    Good things, made to be used - We work directly with makers, so prices stay fair for everyone.
  </div>
  <div class="small text-muted mt-1">
    Aug 13, 2026
  </div>
</div>

12Sidebar that scrolls separately

The nav column scrolls with overflow-y-auto while the content stays put.

Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.

<div class="flex border rounded-lg" style="height:180px">
  <nav class="overflow-y-auto border-e p-2 small shrink-0" style="width:130px" aria-label="Chapters">
    <a href="#" class="block py-1">Intro</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Setup</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Layout</a> <a href="#" class="block py-1">Colours</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Forms</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Tables</a> <a href="#" class="block py-1">Charts</a><a href="#" class="block py-1">Deploy</a> 
  </nav>
  <div class="p-4 small">
    Free shipping on orders over $50 and easy returns within 30 days. Friendly people answer your questions quickly, by phone, chat or email.
  </div>
</div>

13Image pan area

A large image in an overflow-auto box can be scrolled in both directions.

<div class="overflow-auto border rounded-lg" style="height:160px;max-width:26rem">
  <img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1718985342149-7178154e0aee?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1600&h=700&q=70" alt="What our shoppers asked us most" width="900" height="394" class="block"> 
</div>

14Kanban columns

Columns side by side in overflow-x-auto, each column scrolls with overflow-y-auto.

To do

30-day returns

Free shipping

Doing

Gift wrapping

Done

Loyalty rewards

<div class="flex gap-2 overflow-x-auto pb-1">
  <div class="bg-surface-3 rounded-lg p-2 shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
    <div class="small font-semibold mb-2">
      To do
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small mb-2">
      30-day returns
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small mb-2">
      30-day returns
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small">
      Free shipping
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="bg-surface-3 rounded-lg p-2 shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
    <div class="small font-semibold mb-2">
      Doing
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small">
      Gift wrapping
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="bg-surface-3 rounded-lg p-2 shrink-0 overflow-y-auto" style="width:170px;max-height:180px">
    <div class="small font-semibold mb-2">
      Done
    </div>
    <div class="bg-page border rounded-md p-2 small">
      Loyalty rewards
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

15Overflow-x hidden

overflow-x-hidden hides content that slides in from the side, like an off-screen panel.

Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.

Panel partly off the edge

<div class="relative overflow-x-hidden border rounded-lg p-4" style="height:110px">
  <div class="small">
    Clear prices, honest advice and no surprises along the way.
  </div>
  <div class="absolute top-0 bg-primary-subtle h-full p-2 small" style="left:90%;width:200px">
    Panel partly off the edge
  </div>
</div>

16Overflow-y scroll always

overflow-y-scroll always shows the vertical scrollbar, so the width never jumps.

Thousands of five-star reviews from customers who came back for more.

<div class="overflow-y-scroll border rounded-lg p-2 small" style="height:90px">
  Thousands of five-star reviews from customers who came back for more.
</div>

17Notification panel

A dropdown-like panel with header, scrolling body and footer.

Notifications

We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.

Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.

Our packaging is plastic-free and every delivery is carbon-neutral.

Gift wrapping and a handwritten note are free on every order.

View all

<div class="border rounded-lg shadow-sm flex flex-col" style="max-width:20rem;height:220px">
  <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b font-semibold small">
    Notifications
  </div>
  <div class="overflow-y-auto grow">
    <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
      We keep things simple, so you can focus on what matters to you.
    </div>
    <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
      Start in minutes and get help from a real person whenever you need it.
    </div>
    <div class="px-4 py-2 border-b small">
      Our packaging is plastic-free and every delivery is carbon-neutral.
    </div>
    <div class="px-4 py-2 small">
      Gift wrapping and a handwritten note are free on every order.
    </div>
  </div>
  <a href="#" class="px-4 py-2 border-t small text-center">View all</a> 
</div>

18Clip a decorative shape

A big circle partly outside its panel is cut off by overflow-hidden.

New season, new favourites

Pay securely with card, wallet or in three interest-free instalments.

<div class="relative overflow-hidden text-bg-primary rounded-xl p-6">
  <div class="absolute bg-white/25 rounded-full" style="width:180px;height:180px;right:-60px;top:-60px">
  </div>
  <h3 class="h5 relative">New season, new favourites</h3>
  <p class="small mb-0 relative">Pay securely with card, wallet or in three interest-free instalments.</p>
</div>

19Long word handling

overflow-hidden plus text-truncate versus text-break for an unbreakable string.

downloads/xenoara-pro/assets/very-long-file-name-without-any-spaces-at-all.zip

<div class="row g-2 small">
  <div class="col-sm-6">
    <div class="border rounded-lg p-2 truncate">
      downloads/xenoara-pro/assets/very-long-file-name-without-any-spaces-at-all.zip
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="col-sm-6">
    <div class="border rounded-lg p-2 break-words">
      downloads/xenoara-pro/assets/very-long-file-name-without-any-spaces-at-all.zip
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

20Responsive table wrapper

table-responsive is the helper made of overflow-x-auto for tables.

Plan	Users	Storage	Support	API	Price
Pro	30	400 GB	Email and chat	Unlimited	$94.40

<div class="table-responsive border rounded-lg">
  <table class="table table-sm mb-0 whitespace-nowrap">
    <thead>
      <tr>
        <th scope="col">Plan</th>
        <th scope="col">Users</th>
        <th scope="col">Storage</th>
        <th scope="col">Support</th>
        <th scope="col">API</th>
        <th scope="col">Price</th>
      </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
      <tr>
        <td>Pro</td>
        <td>30</td>
        <td>400 GB</td>
        <td>Email and chat</td>
        <td>Unlimited</td>
        <td>$94.40</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</div>